Combination crimping and testing assembly



Sept. 2, 1969 J. c. ABROMAVAGE ETA!- 3,464,246

COMBINATION CRIMPTNG AND TESTING ASSEMBLY Filed May 23, 1967 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR 3 JOHN C. ABROMAVAGE HARRY J. REICHARDT 522M csezzm ATTORNEY 3 Sept. 2, 1969 J. c. ABROMAVAGE ETAL 3,464,246

COMBINATION CRIMPING AND TESTING ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 23,1967 INVENTORS JOHN C. ABROMAVAGE HARRY J. REICHARDT' l/ BY din/lies 3ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,464,246 COMBINATION 'CRIMPING ANDTESTING ASSEMBLY John C. Abromavage, Jamison, and Harry J. Reichardt,

Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Arcoa, Incorporated,

Portland, Oreg., a corporation of Oregon Filed May 23, 1967, Ser. No.640,715 Int. Cl. H01r 43/04; B25b 7/22 US. Cl. 72-31 4 Claims ABSTRACTOF DISCLOSURE The present invention relates generally to a combinationcrimping and testing assembly, particularly designed for use withautomobile tail light wiring.

The dual functions of attaching contacting clips to insulated wireswhile testing for continuity is accomplished by the pliers-like visegrip assembly of the present invention, characterized by simplicity inconstruction and low cost of manufacture. Although numerous crimpingdevices are presently being marketed and simple circuit testing devicesare in widespread use, the capability of performing both these functionsin a single, manual assembly featuring improved crimping ability isbelieved to constitute an important advancement.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable a singlegripping assembly, characterized by simplicity in construction, toperform the dual functions of crimping and testing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a combinationcrimping and circuit testing device an improved vise grip arrangementpermitting contacting clips to be securely supported thus ensuringproper electrical contact with wire without damage to insulation.

Other objects will become apparent from the ensuing specification andattached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination crimping and testingassembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a contacting clip and insulated wire;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the crimping tool in open position withcontacting clip positioned within bracket;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the crimping tool in closed position withcontacting clip secured to insulated wire;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of contacting clip with prongsinserted within insulated wire after crimping; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of bulb assembly.

As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention consists generally of crimpingtool 10, cartridge-type bulb assembly 12 and magnetized clip assembly14, appropriately connected by insulated wires 16 and 17.

More particularly, crimping tool generally resembles a pair of plierswith handles 18 and 20 connected in pivoting relationship about rivet22. Attached to handle 20 is flexible bracket 20 designed to hold thegenerally cylindrical female connecting members 23 (FIG. 2) ofcontacting slips 24. As a contacting clip 24 is inserted within bracket20, as seen in FIG. 3, and the desired insulated wire 26 positionedwithin U-shaped head 28, wire 23 will be forced into electrical contactwith prongs 30, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, when head 32 of handle 18presses face 34 of head 28 inwardly under conventional pliers action. Aswill now be apparent, ease in crimping is assured as contacting piece 24is securely held within bracket 20 during the entire crimping operation.As is well known, in attempting to crimp wires in close quarters thewires are frequently hard to grab hold of and the crimping clipsdifiicult to fold or bend over wires.

ice

With the present invention, however, it is only necessary to insert acontacting clip 24 within bracket 20 and pinch head 28, after whichpressure on handles 18 and 20 is released leaving clip 24 about the wire26 desired to be contacted. Wire 16, the function of which will beexplained in detail hereinafter, is attached to handle 20 at anyconventional juncture 36. Finally, handles 18 and 20 are provided with acoating 34 of insulation.

Bulb assembly 12, as illustrated in detail in FIG. 6, consists generallyof female and male socket members 40 and 42 provided with slots 44 andpins 46, respectively, enabling conventional sliding attachment. Withinbulb assembly 12, wires 16 and 17 terminate in generally fiat metalterminals 48 and 50, between which is located bulb 52 having bases 54and 56 in contact with terminals 48 and 50, respectively. Finally,spring member 60 ensures proper contact pressure by urging terminal 50of wire 17 against base 56.

Clip 14 is of the alligator type having opposed sets of teeth 62 and 64urged into engaging relationship by spring 66. Attached to arm 68 issupport 70 within which is mounted magnet 72 at juncture 74 at whichwire 17 is also connected to clip 14.

Of course, bulb and clip assemblies 12 and 14 permit testing forcontinuity in combination with the crimping function of tool 10. Forexample, if an automobile turn signal indicator is turned on or thebrakes depressed while the tool of the present invention is engaging aselected wire 26, it is possible for the operator to instantly determinewhich of these wiring systems has been clipped.

Manifestly, variation in arrangement of component parts may beenvisioned without departing from the spirit and scope of invention, asdefined by the sub-joined claims.

We claim:

1. A combination crimping and testing assembly for use with contactingclips, comprising:

(A) a crimping tool including a flexible bracket for securing thecontacting clip;

(B) a bulb assembly;

(C) a resilient clip; and

(D) circuit means connecting said tool with said bulb assembly and saidclub bulb assembly with said resilient clip.

2. A combination crimping and testing assembly as in claim 1, whereinsaid crimping tool includes two handles connected in pivotingrelationship, said bracket being attached to one of said handles, saidone of said handles terminating outwardly from said bracket in an endportion generally complementary in configuration with respect to thecontacting clips while the other of said handles terminates in agenerally flat end portion disposed generally perpendicular to saidcontacting clips as said handles are brought together for crimping.

3. A combination crimping and testing assembly as in claim 2, whereinsaid resilient clip includes a magnet assembly attached thereto.

4. A combination crimping and testing assembly as in claim 3, includingelectrical insulation on said handles of said tool.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,327,374 6/1967 Lulick et a1.29203 RONALD D. GREFE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

